Apple delivered at its WWDC 2026 developer conference – at least in theory. Siri AI is set to fundamentally renew the voice assistant starting this fall – with access to apps, photos, emails and calendars. But AI on iPhones and iPads is not starting in Europe for the time being because Apple and the EU cannot agree on the Digital Markets Act. We break down what Siri AI can really do, which devices are compatible and why Apple’s privacy promise is being put to the test. A commentary analysis.
What is and can Siri AI from Apple?
- Apple has already developed its own AI for its hardware ecosystem with Apple Intelligence and has also implemented some practical functions. The However, Apple AI lags significantly behind the competition’s models. Meanwhile, the voice assistant Siri has been crying out for a comprehensive AI update for years. Apple recognized this too. However, the company was unable to keep its promise of a completely redesigned AI Siri due to several delays. At its developer conference WWDC 2026, Apple had good news: Siri AI is scheduled to launch in September 2026 together with iOS 27.
- The new AI Siri is based on Apple Intelligence, which in turn is based on its own language models, models from Google and OpenAI, and an in-house cloud service. Siri AI should be able to have longer conversations with users than before by remembering the content of previous conversations. Additionally, the AI on compatible Apple devices will become even more powerful. In other words: The new Siri should Access apps, photos and videos can, for example, search for chat histories or images or edit them. Also possible: Access emails, notes, documents or the calendar for more personalized answers.
- Apple requires the operating systems iOS 27, iPadOS 27, macOS 27, watchOS 27 and visionOS 27 for Siri AI. In other words: The new AI Siri will not work with earlier versions or devices that do not support OS27. Further requirements: At least an iPhone 15 Pro, an iPad with an M1 chip or a Mac with an M1 chip. In Europe, Siri AI will not be available on iPhones and iPads at launch be. Macs, the Vision Pro and also the Apple Watch should receive the AI. The reason for this is the EU’s Digital Markets Act, which is intended to strengthen competition and prevent large corporations from exploiting their market power. Apple has to open its system to other providers.
Data protection vs. AI power: Apple’s biggest contradiction?
With Siri AI, Apple is facing one A balancing act that could hardly be bigger. The iPhone company has to make up ground, especially against Google and Samsung, in order not to lose touch when it comes to smartphone AI. But in order for the new Siri to be competitive, the AI must, on the one hand, know as much as possible about its users. On the other hand, Apple has made the issue of data protection an important brand core for years.
A Siri AI that searches messages, adds appointments to the calendar, analyzes photos and completes tasks without users ever having to open an app, But at least it shakes up Apple’s big promiseas AI has to access and process countless data.
Don’t get me wrong: The promised new Siri functions aren’t just liked extremely practical and helpful be. AI would actually be ahead of the competition when it comes to device access. But the thought of an AI that can access email accounts, apps, photos and documents also makes you feel a little uneasy.
The conflict between Apple and the EU is further heating up the Siri debate. The Commission wants to prevent Apple from favoring its own services over competing offers and is therefore calling for more openness to alternative AI assistants. Apple, in turn, warns of risks to data protection and security. In other words: Both parties claim user and data protection for themselves.
Apple is trying to differentiate itself from many competitors with its “Private Cloud Compute” strategy. The message: as much as possible on the device and only as much cloud as necessary. But even if, according to the company, data cannot be viewed by Apple or third parties, there is still one fundamental contradiction exists. The more personal and helpful an AI is to become, the deeper it has to delve into the digital lives of its users.
Voices
- Craig Federighi, senior vice president of software engineering at Appleon the new AI strategy: “We are bringing the next generation of Apple Intelligence to our platforms – introducing Siri AI, a significantly smarter, more knowledgeable and more powerful Siri, making our software platforms faster, more reliable and better than ever before.” Meanwhile, he criticizes the EU unusually harshly: “We are very disappointed. (… ) We hope to soon be able to offer Siri AI in the EU and will continue to work with the EU regulatory authorities on a solution. However, since they refuse to work constructively with us on solutions that ensure data protection and security, we cannot currently give a timetable.”
- Industry expert Avi Greengart from the analysis firm Techsponential in a post on Mainstream consumers not ready for it yet.”
- Tech journalist Alex Heath writes on Another post said: “This new Siri experience Apple is unveiling is exactly what the big AI players are aiming for: an extremely personalized, omniscient and ever-present assistant. Apple is being criticized for trying to control the user interface – an area that still seems completely open, even given ChatGPT’s enormous importance.”
Can Siri AI hold a candle to Google and Samsung?
Apple is starting to catch up with Siri AI. While the competition has been developing their AI models for years, The iPhone company didn’t get out of trouble for a long time. The company had previously delivered its own artificial intelligence, Apple Intelligence, but not only was it delayed, it also couldn’t hold a candle to the competition’s models right from the start.
But that is simply no longer enough. So a bad omen for the new Siri? Not at all! Because if Siri AI keeps what Apple promises, you would not only be on an equal footing, but with one or the other Even ahead of competitors. The AI models from OpenAI, Google or Samsung do not allow such full device access.
The truth is that the competition is already working on such functions and Siri AI will not appear until autumn 2026. In the age of AI, there is still a long way to go other providers do not take a break become. Ultimately, it will not only be crucial how many AI functions Siri can handle, but also how seamlessly it works in everyday life and how well the in-house data protection promise is kept.
If Apple actually comes up with a reliable and context-aware AI assistant that meaningfully links devices, apps and personal information, this could be the case one of the biggest changes in the operation of smartphones since the introduction of the touchscreen arise. However, if the project fails due to restrictions, delays or half-baked answers, Siri is once again threatened with the fate that has accompanied Apple for several years: a lot of potential, a lot of marketing – and very little magic.
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